Boiler and valve solutions manufacturer Allmech’s latest valve solution, the Runxin 3-way ceramic ball valve, allows for hard sealing with low friction for flow-related infrastructure and processes such as water softeners, filtration or irrigation.

Having to use four two-way valves is, therefore, not required anymore, as two three-way valves can be used when building a bypass over a filter or softener, facilitating cost reductions with fewer valves procured.

“The Runxin ball valves’ ability to ensure hard sealing with very little friction [enables] . . . the ball valve to be operated with ease, compared with polyvinyl chloride equivalents. Most of the Runxin ball valves are made from different materials, such as production polyphenylene oxide (PPO) or stainless steel grades 304 and 316, and so are their connectors, including threaded or glued, for the plastic units. The Runxin 3-way valves are only produced in PPO and are either manually or electrically operated,” Allmech MD Lionel Maasdorp elaborates.

Facility operators can avert manual interventions using electrically operated valves, enabling the client to switch valves using relays.

The valves allow for two- and three-wire function connections and an additional three-wire connection to indicate whether a valve is open or closed.

They also facilitate system expansion, aligned to increased production requirements, to meet a continuous or increased supply of soft water, or to enhance flow infrastructure at an operation, where the valves complement the T-valve.

“There are many instances where there’s a need to fill two independent storage tanks from the same line. The T-shaped valve [enables] clients to connect the incoming water to the side of the valve. The valve then gets triggered to allow [for] water to flow to the left and/or the right outlet . . . The configuration works well where clients must backwash their filter media with clean water,” Maasdorp adds.

Allmech’s solutions also enable clients to replace a simplex valve with a duplex valve, or to install the Runxin 3-way valve to allow for the installation of a second simplex valve, with the Runxin 3-way valve on the outlet.

“In this manner, the Runxin 3-way valve acts as a shut-off valve to close the water from the simplex softener that is in regeneration and simultaneously allows [for] water to flow from the softener vessel that has previously regenerated. “This allows for continuous flow of soft water to the plant without needing to install a completely new duplex system,” he explains.

The company continues to provide industrial clients with a full turnkey valve solution, consequently allowing for operations to enhance systems for efficient water operations, including applications such as backup water storage.

“As Allmech is the South African agent for Runxin, we can supply a complete solution to our distributors and to our industrial customers. We try to keep most valves and repair components in stock at all times,” he concludes.